Senior Forester

Senior Forester

Requisition No: 858863

Agency: State of Florida Department of Military Affairs

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number:

Salary: $43,992.77

Closing Date: 01/16/2026 (11:59 p.m. on closing date)

Work Location: Starke, FL

About the Department: The mission of the Florida Department of Military Affairs is to provide management oversight of the Florida National Guard and provide units and personnel ready to support national security objectives; to protect the public safety of citizens and to contribute to the national, state and community programs that add value to the United States of America and to the State of Florida.

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dental, Vision and Supplemental Insurance
• Retirement Benefits
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Opportunities for Career Advancement
• Tuition Waiver for Public College Courses
• Training Opportunities
• For benefit information available to State of Florida employees, go to

• New employees must pass a pre‑employment drug screening.
• New employees must participate in a direct deposit/electronic transfer program.
• The department pays on a monthly basis.
• As a candidate, you may need to provide documentation (e.g., High School Diploma, College Transcripts) to verify meeting the minimum qualifications.
• Must obtain a favorable National Agency Check background investigation clearance.
• This position requires medical monitoring and annual physicals.
• Wildland fire duties require qualifications documented in the Installation Wildland Fire Management Plan (IWFMP) and yearly Fireline refresher (RT130) and Work Capacity Test (WCT).

• High School Diploma or equivalent and five (5) years of professional work‑related experience.
• Education may substitute for experience on a year for year basis.

• Implement the Forest Management Plan (FMP), review and update every five years, and use GIS mapping to keep all required maps accurate each year.
• Oversee timber sale contracts, site preparation, inventory, marking, tree planting contracts, and manage threatened and endangered species.
• Generate revenue streams such as Palmetto Barry sales, Apiary Lease agreements, Pine Straw sales, and Fuel Wood Chipping sales, and write scopes of work for these contracts.
• Plan and implement habitat improvement projects in coordination with environmental personnel.
• Provide fire‑management assistance, including prescribed burning, hazard identification, and fire mitigation under the Forest Area Supervisor.
• Operate and maintain heavy equipment (loaders, dump trucks, bulldozers, earth movers, road graders, backhoes) for airfield and training site maintenance.
• Apply herbicides to pine release and invasive control areas.
• Conduct minor equipment maintenance.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of forestry terminology, principles, tools, and techniques.
• Knowledge of harvesting, site preparation, controlled burning, and planting techniques.
• Knowledge of mathematics and statistics.
• Knowledge of forest vegetation and soils.
• Knowledge of insect and disease problems of trees and vegetation.
• Skill in using forestry tools and equipment.
• Ability to do short‑ and long‑range natural resource planning.
• Ability to identify trees, vegetation, insects, and tree diseases.
• Ability to recognize and solve problems.
• Ability to calculate volumes of timber and land measurements.
• Ability to apply proper silviculture practices.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate technical information with individuals and groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

E‑Verify Program: The State of Florida and the Department of Military Affairs participate in the E‑Verify program; federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of any person hired.

Selective Services: Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, must register with the Selective Services System before their 26th birthday or provide an exemption letter.

Retirement System: All members of the Florida Retirement System contribute 3% of their salary pre‑tax. Re‑employment may affect retirement benefits.

Equal Opportunity

Employer:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence.

Veterans’ Preference: Candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies. Submit required documentation such as DD Form 214 or equivalent.

Drug‑Free Workplace: All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing per Florida law.